Pro Groups To Square Off In Virtual 2-Mile Competition

By Todd Grasley of DyeStat

Virtual duals are catching on. On the heels of a virtual Atlanta Track Club Elite versus the Oregon Track Club Elite, a new event Friday night will feature HOKA ONE ONE’s Northern Arizona Elite taking on runners from TEAM Boulder.

“I did a virtual race-off a month ago for one of my guys and girls,” TEAM Boulder coach Lee Troop said. “Jake Riley (Olympic Marathon qualifier) liked it and asked me to set one up for him.

“I approached Ben (Rosario) about racing Scott Fauble and it grew into a team format.”

Here is how the competition will work: There will be a 2-mile men's and women’s race. Each race will consist of three athletes from each team. Both teams will race at similar times and with similar courses (altitude different). NAZ Elite will run at Buffalo Park in Flagstaff, Ariz., while TEAM Boulder will be at Davidson Mesa.

“It’s a two-mile loop and we will add up total times with lowest combined time to win,” Troop added.

NAZ Elite Competitors

Women - Stephanie Bruce, Lauren Paquette, Kellyn Taylor

Scott Fauble, Rory Linkletter, Nick Hauger

TEAM Boulder Competitors

* Women - Carrie Verdon, Melissa Dock, Ericka Hibser

Men - Jake Riley, David Goodman, Tim Rackers

The event will take place at 6:30 p.m. Pacific on Friday and will be streamed live on Instagram. Viewers will be able to watch a split-screen of the racers going head to head with Troop and NAZ Elite coach Ben Rosario commentating the action.

Troop hopes this is just the start of many more events between the two squads and eventually with others.

“Ben and I did a 45-minute chat yesterday and yes, both groups are excited,” he said. “The race between Jake (Riley) and Jared (Ward) on July 4th will be a good one as well. I am hoping we can get other groups like ZAP and Hansons involved.”